Proposed Fisheries Management Measures for Inshore Marine Protected Areas and Proposed Priority Marine Feature Management Areas in Scottish Waters - Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report

Overview

The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) aims to ensure that decision-making and consultation on the developed fisheries management measures are informed by relevant environmental information. It identifies any likely significant environmental impacts from the policy and considers reasonable alternatives. It also identifies mitigation measures, if required, to avoid or minimise any significant adverse effects and highlights opportunities for enhancements of beneficial effects. The SEA identifies the individual and overall (cumulative) effects of the developed fisheries management measures on various SEA topics that have been scoped into the assessment. The assessment also considers the effects of development on a series of key statements (SEA objectives). These objectives reflect the scope of the assessment as well as the environmental protection objectives from relevant legislation.

The SEA provides a high level assessment of the potential environmental impacts as well as considering a series of key questions. These questions are the ‘SEA objectives’, reflecting both the scope of the assessment and the environmental protection objectives from relevant legislation. The assessment has identified the individual and overall (cumulative) potential beneficial and adverse effects of the proposed fisheries management measures on a number of SEA topics. These are: Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna; Soil; Water; and Climatic Factors.

The SEA considers reasonable alternatives that fulfil the objective of the plan. These are the two alternative management options under consideration; referred to as options 1 and 2. Option 1 represents zoned measures based on Conservation Management Advice (CMA) for each NCMPA, SPA, and SAC; and a smaller area for PMF management areas. The Option 1 proposals are refined to reduce impact on stakeholders while still meeting policy aims. Option 2 represents whole site restrictions, and larger areas for PMF management areas. Both options are considered equally in the assessment. If measures intended to be adopted are significantly more restrictive than the options assessed, further consultation and assessment will be conducted.

Indicative assessment criteria have been used to help determine the type (beneficial, adverse or neutral) and magnitude (none, negligible, minor, moderate or major) of potential immediate and future effects that may result from the proposed fisheries management measures. These criteria are necessarily indicative rather than prescriptive. Moderate and major effects are considered to be significant whereas minor and negligible effects are not considered to be significant. Judgement is used to balance where partial criteria for a magnitude level is met or where there is uncertainty. The potential for future effects has also been identified where relevant.

Both consultation options are assessed to result in immediate and future benefits to the environment, although the difference between the extent of benefits from the options varies by site and area. The key environmental effects (or impact pathways) that have the potential to arise from the implementation of the proposed fisheries management measures and that were assessed as part of this SEA are as follows:

• Pathway 1: Potential benefits to habitats and species within the sites/areas;
• Pathway 2: Potential spill-over benefits beyond the boundaries of the sites/areas;
• Pathway 3: Potential adverse effects resulting from the displacement of fishing and the likely intensification of activities in locations where they already occur; and
• Pathway 4: Potential adverse effects of increased fishing effort from other gear types that are not targeted by the proposed fisheries management measures.

The SEA considers the cumulative effects of the proposed measures under both Option 1 and Option 2 are expected to generate cumulative positive effects for biodiversity. By reducing damaging fishing pressures on sensitive habitats and species, these measures are anticipated to provide both immediate and long‑term ecological benefits. Potential spill-over benefits that are not significant at the individual site level could result in significant benefits in combination with other sites and areas. However, the displacement of fishing activity could also present significant cumulative adverse effects under Option 2. The cumulative effects of these measures alongside other plans, programmes, and strategies are also considered in this way.

Proposals for monitoring and mitigation of significant effects are under consideration and will be reported on in the post adoption statement. They are not presented in this document as no likely significant impacts were identified.

The full document is available as a PDF from the above supporting documents section.